A dementia choir headed by famous actress Vicky McClure helped a Mansfield care home hit the right notes on its 20th anniversary.

A family fun day at Newgate Lodge Care Home marked the milestone of providing care for the community, and also celebrated the ‘family’ team caring for residents.

Manjas Lidder, director of Lidder Care, which runs the home, presented 14 team members with long-service awards for providing more than 15 years of dedicated care for residents and their families alike.

“We are immensely proud of our residents, our colleagues, and the incredible community that has grown around our home,” he said.

“Over these past two decades, our care home has been a place of compassion, support, and unwavering dedication as we have witnessed the journeys of our residents and their families, supported by our incredible team who have been a source of great comfort and care.”

Among the 200 guests at the fun day were local politicians, trustees from Cruse Bereavement Support, and many other organisations specialising in supporting those with dementia.

There were activities for all ages, including face painting and arts and crafts for younger visitors, while Vicky McClure’s Our Dementia Choir sung classic songs such as Sweet Caroline and Stand By Me.

Newgate Lodge is part of Lidder Care, which also includes Lowmoor Nursing Home, Kirkby, specialising in providing dementia care for those with behaviours that may challenge.

Manjas said: “We are very proud that Newgate Lodge has maintained our Good rating across all five key CQC domains, retained the NCC Band 5, and been awarded the Dementia Quality Mark for the past 10 years, highlighting our ability to provide specialist dementia care.”

The home, which recently completed a £250,000 refurbishment, has submitted plans to extend Newgate Lodge from 60 to 84 beds.

The extension would include new features, such as adaptable and dementia-friendly communal spaces, a ground-floor bistro, tranquil Japanese garden, and hairdressing salon.

Manjas added: “Newgate Lodge Care Home takes immense pride in its residents, colleagues, and the remarkable community that surrounds it.

“As the home embarks on the next chapter of its journey, we look forward to continuing to provide compassion, exceptional care, and new adventures for all those who call Newgate Lodge their home.”